Lateral adaptor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided which can be inserted into a pegboard and then one or more pegboard devices can be inserted into the apparatus. The apparatus effectively extends the usable area of a pegboard. The apparatus may include first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape. The first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side. First and second prongs project outwards from the first side. A plurality of openings are provided in the second side, such that one or more prongs of a pegboard device can be inserted into the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into a pegboard.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerningdevices for inserting into pegboards for holding objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various devices known in the prior art for inserting into pegboards for holding objects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in one or more embodiments, provides an apparatusand method which can extend the usable area of a pegboard. In oneembodiment, an apparatus can be inserted into a pegboard and then one ormore pegboard devices can be inserted into the apparatus.

At least one embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatuscomprising first, second, and third sides, which together substantiallyform a U-shape. The first and second sides are substantially parallel toeach other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to thethird side. First and second prongs project outwards from the firstside. A plurality of openings are provided in the second side, such thatone or more prongs of a pegboard device can be inserted into theplurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboarddevice to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of theapparatus are inserted into a pegboard.

The apparatus may also include a plurality of substantially U-shapedmembers having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portionwhich form the substantially U-shape. Each of the plurality of U-shapedmembers may be substantially parallel to the U-shape of the first,second, and third sides. The first, second, and third sides may form agap. The first, second, and third portions of each of the U-shapedmembers may form a gap. The gap formed by the first, second, and thirdsides is typically substantially larger than the gaps formed by each ofthe first, second, and third portions of the U-shaped members,

The first prong of the apparatus may include first and second portionswhich are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other. Thesecond prong of the apparatus may include first and second portionswhich are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other. Thefirst side may includes first, second, and third portions which arespaced apart. The first prong of the apparatus may protrude out from thefirst portion of the first side, and the second prong of the apparatusmay protrude out from the second portion of the first side.

At least one embodiment of the invention includes a method comprisinginserting an apparatus into a pegboard, by inserting first and secondprongs of the apparatus into first and second holes of the pegboard, andinserting a pegboard device into the apparatus, by inserting a firstprong of the pegboard device into a first hole of the apparatus. Theapparatus may be as previously described. The method may also includeinserting a cord so that it passes through the gaps of each of theplurality of U-shaped members and so that it passes through the gapformed by the first, second, and third sides of the apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a rear view of an apparatus in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a left side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a right side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 whichincludes the front, the right side, and the top of the apparatus of FIG.1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, whichincludes the bottom, the rear, and the left side of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 which showsthe rear, the top, and the left side of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 insertedinto a pegboard;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a cord inserted into the apparatusof FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of pegboard hook device inserted intothe apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 and anidentical apparatus inserted next to each other into a pegboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 show rear, front, bottom, top, left, and right side views,respectively, of an apparatus 10 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10which includes the front, the right side, and the top of the apparatus10. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10, which includesthe bottom, the rear, and the left side of the apparatus 10. FIG. 9shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 which shows the rear, thetop, and the left side of the apparatus 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the apparatus 10 includes sides 12, 40 and 24which substantially form a U-shape. Side 12 is comprised of portions 14,16, and 18. The side 12 has a back surface 12 a shown in FIG. 1 and aninterior surface 12 b shown in FIG. 7. The apparatus 10 also includes aside 24 shown in FIG. 1. The side 24 has a front surface 24 a shown inFIG. 2 and an interior surface 24 b shown in FIG. 1. The front surface24 a is separated into portions 32 a-32 o by dividing members 30 a-30 pshown in FIG. 2. The apparatus 10 also includes side 40 shown in FIG. 3,which has a bottom exterior surface 40 a and an interior surface 40 b.The side 40 has openings or slots 36 and 38 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Peg board prongs or protrusions 20 and 22 project out from surface 12 aand from portions 16 and 18, respectively, of side 12. Prong 20 hasportions 20 a and 20 b, which may be substantially perpendicular to eachother. Similarly, prong 22 has portions 22 a and 22 b, which may besubstantially perpendicular to each other. Each of the portions 20 a, 20b, 22 a, and 22 b may be substantially cylindrically shaped and may havea diameter of about 0.187 inches so that each of the portions 20 a, 20b, 22 a, and 22 b can fit into a typical pegboard hole. The prongs 20and 22 may be fixed substantially centrally to the portions 16 and 18,or 14 and 16, respectively.

The apparatus 10 also includes members 42, 44, and 46, shown in FIG. 9.The members 42, 44, and 46 may be substantially V-shaped and may beidentical to each other. The members 42, 44, and 46 may be locatedsubstantially centrally with respect to the portions 18, 16, and 14,respectively, of side 12. The member 42 has a portion 42 a fixedsubstantially centrally to the interior surface 12 a of the portion 18of the side 12, a groove, through, or indentation 42 b, and a portion 42c fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 24 a of the side24. The member 42 is also fixed at its bottom to the interior surface 40b of the side 40. Similarly, member 44 has a portion 44 a fixedsubstantially centrally to the interior surface 12 a of the portion 16of the side 12, a groove, trough, or indentation 44 b, and a portion 44c fixed substantially centrally to the interior surface 24 a of the side24. The member 44 is also fixed at its bottom to the interior surface 40b of the side 40.

Similarly, member 46 has a portion 46 a fixed substantially centrally tothe interior surface 12 a of the portion 14 of the side 12, a groove,trough, or indentation 46 b, and a portion 46 c fixed substantiallycentrally to the interior surface 24 a of the side 24. The member 46 isalso fixed at its bottom to the interior surface 40 b of the side 40.

The side 24 has openings 34 a-34 o shown in FIG. 2. Each of the openings34 a-o is typically large enough so that a prong from a pegboardinsertion device (such as prong 20 from apparatus 10) can be insertedinto any one of the openings 34 a-o. For example, a second apparatus200, identical to apparatus 10 can have its prongs 220 and 222 insertedinto openings 32 b and 32 h or 32 n and 32 h shown in FIG. 12. Thisallows pegboard devices to be attached to each other rather thandirectly to the pegboard, increasing the available devices which can behung off of a pegboard. The apparatus 10 includes members 26 and 28which border the openings 34 a-34 o.

In operation a cord 100 can be inserted into the indentations or through46 b, 44 b, and 42 b as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 9 and as shownin FIG. 11. The V-shape of the members 46, 44, and 42 helps the members46-42 to hold the cord tightly inside of the apparatus 10.

The apparatus 10 may be made of plastic and may be a one partconstruction. The apparatus 10 extends the usable peg wall area byhaving a first pegboard device which allows second pegboard device to beinserted into the first pegboard device. The apparatus 10 can be moldedinto different sizes to accommodate other types of wall systems. Theapparatus 10 can be molded into different styles for prongs or hooks 20and 22. Many types of pegboard hooks can be inserted into openings 34a-34 o to increase the effective pegboard space.

The apparatus 10 allows for finer incremental hook applications than oneinch on center hole matrix; typical of peg wall. The apparatus 10 can bemolded to be used over left or right store fixture slotted standardswhich frame out the four foot peg wall sections and usually support themetal shelving. Although the prong portions, such as portions 20 a and20 b, are shown perpendicular to each other, the apparatus 10 can bemolded to accommodate any desired hook angle, such as from ninety toforty-five degrees allowing for usages on the upper most peg wall holes.The apparatus 10 can be placed continuous left to right with noomissions of the ¼ inch hook spacing. The apparatus 10 can be used as anelectric wire management track.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the apparatus 10 inserted into apegboard 200. The pegboard includes a plurality, usually one inch oncenter, of pegboard holes, such as holes 202 a-202 b. Portion 22 b ofthe prong 22 has been inserted through an opening 202 a of the pegboard200, so that the portion 22 b now lies behind the pegboard 200 and isshown by dashed lines. Similarly, prong 20 b has been inserted throughan opening 202 b of the pegboard 200, so that the portion 20 b or prong20 now lies behind pegboard 200 and is shown by dashed lines.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of pegboard hook device 300 insertedinto the apparatus 10. The pegboard hook device 300 includes a prong orpegboard hook 302, a base 301, and a hook or hanger device 304. The hookcan be molded with a hanger device 304 at different heights in relationto 302 allowing for vertical variation along with horizontal variation.The pegboard hook 302 can be inserted into one of the openings 34 a-34 oshown in FIG. 3 into order to attach the pegboard hook device 300 to theapparatus 10. A plurality of hook devices similar to device 300 orhaving a plurality of prongs or hooks can be inserted into one or moreof the openings 34 a-34 o in order to increase the effective area of thepegboard 200 so that more objects can be temporarily attached topegboard 200.

The apparatus 10 may be a one part construction. No assembly orarticulation may be needed to form the apparatus 10. The apparatus 10may extend usable peg wall area (both around perimeter as shown in FIG.10 and within the peg wall matrix field. For example, FIG. 13 shows aperspective view of the apparatus 10 and an identical apparatus 410inserted next to each other into a pegboard 500. The identical apparatus410 includes prongs 422 and 420 having portions 422 a-b and 420 a-b,respectively.

The pegboard 500 includes a plurality, usually one inch on center, ofpegboard holes, such as holes 502 a-502 d. Portion 22 b of the prong 22has been inserted through an opening 502 b of the pegboard 500, so thatthe portion 22 b now lies behind the pegboard 500 and is shown by dashedlines. Similarly, portion 20 b of the prong 20 has been inserted throughan opening 502 a of the pegboard 500, so that the portion 20 b of theprong 20 now lies behind pegboard 500 and is shown by dashed lines. Inthe same manner, portion 422 b of the prong 422 of the apparatus 410 hasbeen inserted through an opening 502 d of the pegboard 500, so that theportion 422 b now lies behind the pegboard 500 and is shown by dashedlines. Similarly, portion 420 b of the prong 420 has been insertedthrough an opening 502 c of the pegboard 500, so that the portion 420 bof the prong 420 now lies behind pegboard 500 and is shown by dashedlines.

As shown in FIG. 13, the inserted apparatuses 10 and 410 increase theeffective number of peg holes into which pegs can be inserted. Forexample, between or aligned with prongs 20 and 22 there are about sevenopenings 34 b-34 h, shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 13, there are onlythree peg openings (502 b, 502 a, and one opening between 502 b and 502a) in the pegboard 500 between or aligned with prongs 20 and 22. Thus,the apparatus 10 increases the number of usable peg openings, between oraligned with prongs 20 and 22, by a ratio of seven to three in theembodiment of FIG. 13.

The apparatus 10 can be molded to accommodate many different types ofwall systems. A mold insert for prongs 20 and 22 can allow for “slatwall” and “uniweb” wall systems merging the use of common inexpensivepeg hooks on those wall systems usually requiring their own moreexpensive hooks.)

The apparatus 10 can be molded to accommodate all hook styles (for theprongs or hooks 20 and 22) such as plastic, metal, round, and squaredoff. The apparatus 10 works with all pegboard hooks such as single,double, short and long pegboard hooks, which may be substituted for orincluded with the pegboard hook device 300.

The apparatus 10 allows for finer incremental hook applications than oneinch on center (left and right) ¼ inch steps horizontally. The apparatus10 can be molded to be used over left or right standards not occupied byfixture shelving. For example, portions or planes 14, 16, and 18 can allhave mold inserted prongs (in FIG. 1, portion 14 does not have a prongmaking this version to extend over a right side standard). The apparatus10 can be molded to accommodate any desired hook angle, such as an angleof ninety to forty-five degrees (for the hooks to be inserted into anyone of openings 34 a-34 p of FIG. 2, such as prong 302 inserted into oneof openings 34 a-p in FIG. 12.

The apparatus 10, and identical apparatus such as apparatus 410 in FIG.13, can be placed continuous left to right with no omissions of the onequarter inch hook spacing (one after the other on the same rowhorizontally). The apparatus 10 can be used as an electric wiremanagement track such as shown by FIGS. 9 and 11. The slots 36 and 38,and/or the members 42, 44, and 46, shown in FIG. 9 of the apparatus 10can be used to hold graphics cards and aisle violators.

The apparatus 10 allows for two prong hooks, (inserted into adjacentopenings of 34 a-p, because 4 openings equal one 1″ on center two pronghook to be placed closer together than ever before since only a ½ inchon center has ever been made prior to our ¼ inch on center.

The apparatus 10 allows for the creation of thinner carded product andtighter piano grams (what are piano grams) or layout of product byretailer on peg wall. The apparatus 10 can be molded with side pulledholes 34 a-34 p each version at one of three levels 0.375 inches aparton center to allow for vertical fine adjustment of hooks if common hooksare only available. Instead of one hole 34 a in section 32 a, there canbe three holes in a column in second 32 a. Likewise there can beeffectively, three rows of holes similar to holes 34 a-o in sections 32a-32 o.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particularillustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of theinvention may become apparent to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to include within this patent all such changes andmodifications as may reasonably and properly be included within thescope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

1. An apparatus comprising: first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape; wherein the first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side; first and second prongs, which project outwards from the first side; and wherein there are a plurality of openings in the second side, such that one or more prongs of a pegboard device can be inserted into the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into a pegboard.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of substantially U-shaped members having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion which form the substantially U-shape; wherein each of the plurality of U-shaped members are substantially parallel to the U-shape of the first, second, and third sides; and wherein the first, second, and third sides form a gap; wherein the first, second, and third portions of each of the U-shaped members form a gap; and wherein the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides is substantially larger than the gaps formed by each of the first, second, and third portions of the U-shaped members,
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other; and the second prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first side includes first, second, and third portion which are spaced apart; and wherein the first prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the first portion of the first side, and the second prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the second portion of the first side.
 5. A method comprising: inserting an apparatus into a pegboard, by inserting first and second prongs of the apparatus into first and second holes of the pegboard; and inserting a pegboard device into the apparatus, by inserting a first prong of the pegboard device into a first hole of the apparatus.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the apparatus is comprised of first, second, and third sides, which together substantially form a U-shape; wherein the first and second sides are substantially parallel to each other and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side; wherein the first and second prongs of the apparatus project outwards from the first side; and wherein there are a plurality of openings in the second side, such that the first prong of the pegboard device can be inserted into any one of the plurality of openings in the second side in order to attach the pegboard device to the apparatus, while the first and second prongs of the apparatus are inserted into the pegboard.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the apparatus is comprised of a plurality of substantially U-shaped members having a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion which form the substantially U-shape; wherein each of the plurality of U-shaped members are substantially parallel to the U-shape of the first, second, and third sides; and wherein the first, second, and third sides form a gap; wherein the first, second, and third portions of each of the U-shaped members form a gap; and wherein the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides is substantially larger than the gaps formed by each of the first, second, and third portions of the U-shaped members,
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the first prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other; and the second prong of the apparatus includes first and second portions which are substantially at a right angle with respect to each other.
 9. The method of claim 5 wherein the first side includes first, second, and third portions which are spaced apart; and wherein the first prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the first portion of the first side, and the second prong of the apparatus protrudes out from the second portion of the first side.
 10. The method of claim 5 further comprising inserting a cord so that it passes through the gaps of each of the plurality of U-shaped members and so that it passes through the gap formed by the first, second, and third sides of the apparatus. 